Government HR job application screening (shop, title, rating)

[lqda4]

I think there are some members here that are familiar with how Government HR works so here is a question for you...

I applied for a position some 3-4 months go and was told I don't meet minimum qualifications. I called and was told flatly that i did not their criteria - period. Fast forwarded to today... They re-advertised the job (obviously could not find anyone that qualifies in their book). I applied again and (according to application status on usajobs) was immediately told I once again do not meet qualifications (I did refine/revise my resume).

Not qualified does not bother me, but not knowing why/how is. Am I entitled to request them, in writing, to provide me with the details?

[GeorgiaTransplant]

Originally Posted by lqda4

I think there are some members here that are familiar with how Government HR works so here is a question for you...

I applied for a position some 3-4 months go and was told I don't meet minimum qualifications. I called and was told flatly that i did not their criteria - period. Fast forwarded to today... They re-advertised the job (obviously could not find anyone that qualifies in their book). I applied again and (according to application status on usajobs) was immediately told I once again do not meet qualifications (I did refine/revise my resume).

Not qualified does not bother me, but not knowing why/how is. Am I entitled to request them, in writing, to provide me with the details?

I have no idea if you are entitled or not, but the reality is, a 'screener' checks your application/resume to ensure you meet certain things. The screener may or may not know the field you are applying for-he or she just looks for certain words or acronyms, and there's actually an automated check to make sure you meet a certain bar before a manual review. Honestly, a lot of the 'resumes' I've seen are simply regurgitation of terms that fairly clearly no single person will know well.

Check the job description. Whatever it says the qualifications are, as many of those as you actually legitimately meet-make sure they are on RESUMIX, and in exactly the same words as listed on the job announcement.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by lqda4

I think there are some members here that are familiar with how Government HR works so here is a question for you...

I applied for a position some 3-4 months go and was told I don't meet minimum qualifications. I called and was told flatly that i did not their criteria - period. Fast forwarded to today... They re-advertised the job (obviously could not find anyone that qualifies in their book). I applied again and (according to application status on usajobs) was immediately told I once again do not meet qualifications (I did refine/revise my resume).

Not qualified does not bother me, but not knowing why/how is. Am I entitled to request them, in writing, to provide me with the details?

I think you can request this; however, I'm not sure HOW to do that.

You may be very well qualified for the position but if you are not preparing your resume correctly and hitting all the key statements and demonstrating the knowledge and/or skills on whatever the criteria are, you will be disqualified. Many times people do have quals but do not articulate them in the format required.

[mlv311]

Yes, you may request an explanation of why you do not meet minimum qualifications. It doesn't have to be in writing; an HR specialist should be able to tell you why you don't meet it.

You can also verify the minimum qualification requirements by reviewing the job announcement carefully (sometimes they list minimum qualifications or a selective factor) or by looking up the position classification standards online: Position Classification Standards for White Collar Work . You can look at the job series under the position classification standards and learn what the minimum qualification requirements are based on grade.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I think you can request this; however, I'm not sure HOW to do that.

You may be very well qualified for the position but if you are not preparing your resume correctly and hitting all the key statements and demonstrating the knowledge and/or skills on whatever the criteria are, you will be disqualified. Many times people do have quals but do not articulate them in the format required.

I think on the Army's application system, there is a spot you can email and request for an explanation of why you didn't qualify or get referred. I learned this in the HRC applicant workshop they had in the Ft. Knox area.